Meta

According to a new USA Today/Gallup poll, Obama’s disapproval rating has risen to 50% for the first time. In addition,

Nearly two-thirds of Americans say the health care overhaul signed into law last week costs too much and expands the government’s role in health care too far

A plurality predicts the law will improve health care coverage generally and the overall health of Americans. But a majority says it also will drive up overall costs and worsen the federal budget deficit.

Pluralities say it will make coverage and quality of care worse for them. By 50%-21%, they predict it will make their costs higher.

There was a strong reaction against the tactics Democratic leaders used to pass the bill. A 53% majority call Democratic methods “an abuse of power;” 40% say they are appropriate.

Some of the peoples responses to the poll questions were confusing (as often is the case). For example, “Those surveyed are inclined to fear that the massive legislation will increase their costs and hurt the quality of health care their families receive, although they are more positive about its impact on the nation’s health care system overall.”Why do people think that it is going to be bad for them but for some reason be good for others? I don’t get it.

You know, now that I’ve gone through and written this post and looked at some more stuff in the article, I’m again questioning whether or not one should ever really take anything from polls like this. Look at this:

Will expand government’s role in healthcare too much – 65%

Will cost the government too much – 64%

Should include a public option – 52%

Doesn’t go far enough in regulating the health care industry – 52%

What the hell? How can you have 65% of people saying it expands government’s role in health care too much and then have 52% say the bill should have included a public option and regulated the industry more? That doesn’t make sense.